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A cultural city break

Warsaw in October: a weekend of cinema, culture and walks

The international film festival is scheduled for 9–18 October 2026. Here is how to include it in a two-day stay while leaving time to explore Warsaw.

By The editorial team · 20 septembre 2026

Illustration symbolique de Varsovie en automne et d’un cinéma, générée par IA

Information checked on 20 September 2026. Festival dates are confirmed by its official website; the itinerary below is a FrancePologne suggestion. AI-generated illustration, not a depiction of a specific festival cinema.

Choose dates around the films

The 42nd Warsaw International Film Festival is announced for 9–18 October 2026. The weekends of 10–11 and 17–18 October can therefore provide a starting point for a cinema-focused break. Book screenings that are actually listed and available before arranging the rest of your programme.

For each film, check the venue, starting time, duration, any age restrictions and languages. An English title in a catalogue does not guarantee French subtitles. An archived page from an earlier edition is not the 2026 programme.

Saturday: explore the city, then see a film

Our suggestion is to begin in the Old Town and walk part of the Royal Route, then leave the afternoon for a museum or a break before the cinema. Choose one main screening if discovering Warsaw is also a priority.

Locate the cinema before choosing a restaurant or accommodation. Allow time for travel: a festival is more enjoyable without tightly packed appointments.

Sunday: a park and a museum

Weather permitting, spend the start of the day in Royal Łazienki Park. You can then choose a visit to the POLIN Museum, subject to available entry slots. Reverse or shorten this plan if rain sets in.

The tourism office includes these places among its ideas for two days in Warsaw. Our combination favours a moderate pace; it is not a package with admission included.

Transport and budget

Use the WTP network to plan journeys between accommodation, station, museum and cinema. Check the zone and validity period of the ticket you choose rather than assuming one ticket covers the entire stay.

Budget separately for screenings, the museum, meals and transport. On other October weekends, retain the city itinerary and replace the festival with a screening from a cinema’s current listings.